The first part of making a house your own is by hanging pictures, shelves, and other items to give it a personal touch. To prevent too much damage, hang the items from a wall stud. But finding a stud can sometimes be difficult. A magnetic stud finder makes it easy to find the studs in your walls by locating the nails in the studs.

When you do find the studs in your walls, you can hang up shelving for extra storage space. If you need to a hang shelf but not attach it to a stud, use drywall anchors instead. The anchors allow you to tightly attach the shelving to the wall and ensure that the shelf supports the weight you need it to hold. Also, use a level to make sure your shelf is not tilted.

Replacing a faucet is easier than it sounds. To start, turn off the water to the faucet and drain the faucet. You should also snap a photo underneath the sink so that you have a record of how everything is supposed to look when you are finished. Then it is just a matter of following the instructions that come with the new faucet.

To keep the exterior of your home clean and free of dirt, you occasionally need to pressure wash it. When pressure washing the outside of your home, you need to keep the following in mind: Wash starting from the top down. Avoid pointing the hose at a 90-degree angle. Look for a pressure washer designed for your home’s type of siding. If you plan on using a cleaning solution, look for a pressure washer with a detergent dispenser.

You can install a storm door to the front door of your home to let in more light and give your home more insulation. The easiest way to do this project is to look for a prehung door frame to fit your door’s dimensions. Failing that, order a custom door. Adjust the frame with shims if the door is not square.

Painting the interior of your home is easy as long as you follow a few simple steps. Start by removing all of the furniture form the room you want to paint. Next, turn off the power and remove all of the light fixtures. Vacuum the walls, floor, and ceiling, and cover the floor with drop clothes. Protect the baseboards with painter’s tape, and make sure the room is well ventilated before painting. Finally, after painting, allow the room to dry for a day or two before replacing the light fixtures and moving the furniture back in. Work your way through your house room by room until finished.

If you decide to hang wallpaper instead of painting, use these simple tricks to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Prime dark-colored wallpaper to keep it from bleeding through if you are placing a lighter color over the top. In addition, make sure to line up the pattern of the wallpaper for a seamless look.

You should also allow at least two inches of overlap on each edge and start in an unnoticeable spot just in case you end up with a break in the pattern. To match up the pattern in the corners perfectly, check out Bob Vila for more.

You can also easily replace an outlet in your home by following these steps. Start by turning off the power to your home, testing the outlet with a volt meter to make sure the outlet has no electricity running to it.

Next, remove the faceplate and unscrew the outlet, making a note of which wires connect to which connectors on the outlet. Connect the wires to the new outlet, and screw it back into place. Replace the faceplate, and turn the power back on. Test the outlet to make sure it is working properly.

If a faucet is dripping, you should try this fix before replacing it. Start by turning off the water to the faucet and making sure it is drained. Next, stop up the sink so that any small parts don’t accidentally fall down the drain. Depending on the faucet type, you need to do one of two things outlined below.

A compression faucet contains a small rubber washer that holds the water back. To replace this washer, pop off the cap on top, remove the screw, and take off the knob and the accompanying nut. Remove the stem, and clean it with a wire brush. Replace the old washer underneath before reinstalling the faucet.

For a waterless faucet, follow the same removal process as above, starting by removing the top cap and working your way down the faucet until you reach the O-rings, which keep the faucet from leaking. Replace the O-rings using plumber’s grease to help roll them on. Replace the faucet when finished. For more information on how to repair a faucet, check out Bob Vila.

To easily replace a shower head, follow these simple instructions. Start by removing the old shower head by loosening the showerhead using a pair of channel-lock pliers. Place some Teflon tape around the threads of the shower arm and thread a new shower head into place, turning it clockwise to tighten.

You’ll need the following items to take care of a clogged toilet: a plunger, an auger, rubber gloves, and a bucket. If the bowl is going to overflow, turn off the water supply by turning the valve behind the toilet so that half of the water is emptied out. Start to plunge your toilet. Use the auger if the plunger isn’t working.

Furnace and HVAC filters should be changed every two months. To change them, make sure you have the right filter for your model unit. Take out the service panel and switch our your panel. It’s best to check your manual first.

Sealing your driveway is an important step to making sure that it lasts. You’ll have to make sure that the weather is dry and start by repairing cracks. Next, you wash your driveway off and let dry overnight. Apply your sealant the next day in small patches and keep off of it for 24 hours.

Keep your hardwood floors looking spectacular for years by giving it the proper care. Use only cleaning products that are specifically made for hardwood floors. You can dampen a cloth to remove the spill but putting too much water on your floor can damage the wood. Vacuum often with a hardwood attachment so your floors don’t get scratched.

A wall sconce can change the entire look of your room. To install one, cut a square into the drywall that’s large enough to fit an electrical box and light switch. Make sure you turn off your power before you pull the cable from the panel box to the switch. Now you can install your electrical box and the sconce per the manufacturer’s instructions.

You should check your attic every so often for leaks and signs of moisture and mold. The attic vents should be opened. You’ll also want to look for animal poop. It’s best to locate problems right away before serious damage occurs.

Stainless steel can get covered in fingerprints. You can do damage to it if you use chemicals like bleach or abrasives. To clean your stainless steel, wipe in the direction of the grain using a soft soapy cloth.

To install a thermostat you’ll first want to turn off your breakers to your furnace and air conditioner. Take off the old thermostat box and leave the wires in place. Just reconnect the wires to your new thermostat. If you’re installing a new unit or one that requires you to replace wall anchors or to patch holes, you can follow the directions here.

You can fix your favorite lamp after its’ gone dark by rewiring it. First, unplug your lamp and unscrew the lamp to take out the old light socket. Take the base of the lamp off to get rid of the old cord and thread the new cord in. You can then add in the new socket.

Turn off your electricity. Take off your old fixture and install your new electrical box per the manufacturer’s instructions. Connect your wires to install the fan.

Buy a binder, notebook, or large folder and keep important documents in it like insurance papers, repair receipts, and other paperwork related to your house. You’ll also want to keep a schedule of home repairs and cleaning chores in it so you don’t let things go too long and can confirm your home is in safe and working order. This can also be a sales plus when you’re trying to sell your home.

Keep your grout bright and white. Spray it with warm water and scrub with a hard-bristled brush. If you have stubborn stains, cover it with a paste made from baking soda and water. Next spray with vinegar and water. Scrub it clean when it stops foaming.

Sweeping and vacuuming twice a week helps to keep your tiles clean. When it’s time to wash them, mix water and vinegar together and pour some over your tiles. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush. Dry with a microfiber cloth. Do this once a month. Avoid using bleach, wax, oil-based cleaners and scrubbers.

You have 48 hours to remove water and get things dry when there’s a flood before you run the risk of damage and mold growth. Make sure your power is off if there is standing water. If its only boot level you can wear rubber boots and gloves and use a wooden stick to trip the power switch to avoid electrocution. Call the insurance company right away and take pictures. Get a water pump to remove the water. Remove your furniture and place it to be dried.

First pick the right plant for your climate and figure out when it’s supposed to be planted. Make sure you check the area for proper soil drainage. Dig a hole twice the size of the root of your plant and make sure it’s deep enough so that the plant is level with the grade of the ground. Place your plant in and pack it with soil

Remove the damaged screen out from its metal frame. Cut out a new piece of screen making it slightly larger than the perimeter of the original screen. Put it into your frame with new cording and cut away the excess.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) protect your house from electrocution by shutting the power off. You should check these once a month. Plug a lamp into both outlets and press the test button. It should click and your light should go off. The button should pop back out when you reset it and your light should go back on. If not, somethings’s wrong and you should call the electrician .

Use a pressure-treated pine to make your frame sturdy. You’ll also want to make sure you make a lid for it so that the neighborhood animals don’t use it as a toilet. You can stain or paint it. Dry and fill with sand. Get more info here.

Clogged sinks are most often the result of a blocked P-trap. Place a bucket under the U-shaped pipe located under your sink and unscrew the pipe. Let all the gunk out if there is any. If that’s not the problem you can find more solutions here.

Raised flower beds are a great way to beautify your home. They can also add a lot of value. Get the details on the process here.

Failing to clean your gutters can make them clogged and cause damage. They make sure water is drawn away from your house. Do this twice a year and start by removing large debris near the downspout and use a hose to flush the water through and clean way fine grit. You might also have to take them apart if they are seriously blocked.

You’ll want to make sure that your windows and other interior gaps are properly caulked so that you don’t lose or gain heat, moisture, or cold. You’ll need to pull the plunger back and insert your caulk tube into the gun. Cut the plastic applicator at a 45-degree angle so that the caulk doesn’t come out too fast. Gently push down on the trigger to release your caulk. Wipe away any excess. Get details on the process here.

A running toilet can lead to a large water bill. Sometimes you just need to reassemble some of the pieces in the toilet tank. But you may also have to replace something. You can learn how to diagnose and fix your problem here.

Heating can get pretty expensive so you’ll want to know how to properly set your thermostat. It’s best to set it at 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer for optimal efficiency. The temperate should always be 55 degrees in the winter if you live in a place where your pipes could freeze. Never place it higher than 80 if you are away from home. It’s also a good idea to run an air conditioner or dehumidifier in the summer to prevent mold growth.

Weatherstripping is used to seal air leaks around doors and windows. It can save you 15 percent on your heating and cooling costs. When buying weatherstripping, measure the perimeter of your doors and windows and add 5 to 10 percent. Get details on installation here.

Sometimes you’ll need to shut off all of the water to your house asap. This happens when there is a flood or when you aren’t sure where the source of the water is. It might be near your water meter on the perimeter of your house, in the basement, crawlspace, or garage. Sometimes shutting it off just requires a turn of a knob, sometimes you need tools. Make sure you know and leave tools nearby if you need them.

Refrigerators never get a rest as they are always plugged in. You should clean dirty coils to prevent damage and extend its lifespan. Pull it out and unplug it. Find your coils at the back or underneath the fridge behind the front grill. Vacuum them or use a coil cleaning brush.

Like your car, your lawnmower needs an oil change too. This should be done once a year. Get the details here.

Machines can get smelly and filled with mildew. Make sure you don’t use too much detergent when doing laundry. Some say you only need one or two tablespoons. To clean it just run the machine empty with hot water put a little bleach in the dispenser. Wipe out the gasket and front door when you’re done.

These are used when you don’t have a stud for support. When you place them in the barbs on the side fan out behind your drywall to give what your hanging support. Most are self-drilling and just require a screwdriver. Make sure you apply steady pressure when screwing them int until the edge is flush with the wall then insert your screws.